The Bunnell City Commission in a stunning move at the very end of its meeting Monday night, before a nearly empty chamber, voted 3-2 to revive the 8,000-home Reserve at Haw Creek development the commission rejected just two weeks ago. The item was not on the agenda.
Mayor Catherine Robinson prompted the motion, which Commissioner Pete Young offered without batting an eye–or asking questions–though Young had been in the 3-2 majority to reject the proposal on June 9. Robinson had met with the city manager and the developer for three hours Monday morning. She said the developer was prepared to submit a revised plan that takes public concerns into account.
Young said he’d met with City Manager Alvin Jackson and others on Friday to discuss the development and to let Jackson know he was supportive of Haw Creek as long as it made certain changes. “I met with the city manager and our people,” Young said in an interview today. He wasn’t sure if the developer was among those in the room. “All know is I told them what I would like to see and they said OK, we’ll pass it on to them.”
With Young’s reversal, the motion to reconsider carried, 3-2, with Commissioners John Rogers and David Atkinson as if in too much shock to comment. Rogers walked out immediately after the vote and the gavel to end the meeting, not addressing anyone in the room.
Some of the few people who were left in the audience were in also shock. Allison Nobles, a Bunnell resident, had called the city clerk the day before the commission meeting to ask if there was anything new on the Reserve at Haw Creek, “and was told that there was no update,” she said, “so I’m, like, shocked that we’re at the end of today’s meeting, hearing that there is new news, so to speak.”
The commission chamber at the Government Services Building was filled with about 100 people when the meeting started at 7 p.m., the majority of them there to speak their opposition to a planned rezoning of some 1,300 acres from agricultural to industrial designations. The rezoning application had been on the agenda but was pulled, as that plan is being reconfigured.
Robinson before the public comment segment explained that to the audience. “I’m just in transparency letting you know, so that you understand how this process is working,” she said. She did not let the audience know that she would be asking for a motion on the Haw Creek development, even though most of the people opposed to the rezoning were equally concerned about–and opposed to–the Haw Creek development.
After numerous people spoke against the rezoning for almost an hour, most filed out. The commission turned to the business on its agenda. That took all of 20 minutes, including reports by individual commissioners about meetings they’ve attended.
Just before 8:30 p.m., Robinson pulled her surprise.
“I have a request based on a meeting with city staff and the Northeast Florida developers about the Haw Creek development to address both the public and the commission’s concerns,” the mayor said. “I would like a motion to reconsider the denial of the rezoning application and move forward with the development agreement.”
She was not finished speaking when Young chimed in: “Madam mayor–”
Robinson spoke over him: “Could I have a motion to reconsider this for the next available meeting in August?”
Not a split second later, Young said again: “Madame Mayor, I’d like to make a motion to revisit this reserve at Haw Creek development.” Sechrist seconded. The attorney corrected them: the motion had to be a reconsideration of both the planned unit development and the development agreement. Young corrected himself.
In the interview today, Young said “I was hoping it would come up. I was wanting it to come up,” though he did not brought it up during the segment devoted to commissioners’ comments.
Robinson said the developer wants to resubmit a “PUD or development agreement, I’m not exactly sure which document. But there have been some modifications with what was being presented, and they want to reconsider and represent.”
In an interview today, Jackson said the developer is willing to revisit the number of housing units and to address the geographic location of duplexes and apartment buildings, because existing residents on the rim of the development have complained that apartment buildings would tower over their properties. That’s also Young’s principal concern. “I’m flexible. If they come up with the things I want, then they’ll have my vote. But I’m flexible,” Young said.
Commissioner David Atkinson did not comment. He only wanted to make sure the item would not return the first week in August, when he could not attend. Rogers did not comment, either. In a text today, he said of the motion for reconsideration: “I didn’t support it or vote for it because it simply wasn’t clearly listed on the agenda.” It was not listed at all.
“So, a surprise for this room,” Larry Rogers told the commission. He was among a handful of people–perhaps 10–still in the room at that point. Rogers–no relation to the commissioner–had taken a lead role in the opposition to Haw Creek. He told commissioners of his surprise at the unusual maneuver and wondered how the developer had convinced commissioners to get the reconsideration. “Why is the commission two weeks later, with no notice, none of us, I don’t think had any idea that this was coming, considering allowing a reconsideration of this without any distribution of information, anything at all?” he asked.
“So all I would say is I urge this commission to vote no on this amendment or this reconsideration at this point in time. Makes absolutely no sense to anybody else in this room,” Rogers said, returning to the podium after his initial comment. “We all know it’s coming back, and that’s fine, but to do it in this manner, I think, is a travesty for all the effort and everything that’s gone on in the last two years. And I would urge this group right now, our city leaders, to say, No, this is not the appropriate time. It’s not the appropriate place. We’re not shoving it back on the agenda, and we’re going to conduct an evaluation, and we’re going to let the public be involved in it so that we don’t go through what we just went through for the last two years.”
Cory Romaniuk, a Bunnell planning board member who’s supported the development when it went before his board, lent his support to the reconsideration, saying the vote two weeks ago was based on “a lot of mistakes.” Bonita Robinson, a former city commissioner, was also supportive of the reconsideration, claiming “the city is going broke.” The proposed development would generate revenue for the city’s infrastructure, she said.
Robinson justified the move. “The idea of this is to bring it back up for reconsideration based on the meeting that we had this morning,” the mayor said, “and the concessions that the developer has worked through to try to salvage this product project for the good of the community and for the concerns that were brought forward, and so we’ll see as they Come back. But this will be noticed. It will be public. This is not some gotcha thing. It’s just the ability for our board, if they vote for it, to put it back on the agenda.”
Jack says
8,000 units is insane. The cost of infrastructure and new schools is going to be over $100 K per house. Where is the water to come from?
Tim says
It’s time to clear this rats nest of all existing commissioners , mayor and city anger working to undermine the good people of bunnell.
JimboXYZ says
Classic case of reversing course of Democracy. A politician’s brand of Democracy is to get elected & then use the commission vote as the Democratic process to pass this agenda. What a snake in the grass move this was ? Appease the masses when they’re in the room & then do as they were originally going to do anyway when they’re absent, when it’s not even on the agenda to be present to oppose. She won’t be mayor for very long there for being voted forward, yet she will have sandbagged her successor. Comes off as the slimmest margin of a cowardly majority of liars to pass what the real Democracy of it all had indicated as most politicians have always been. the 2 that voted against this are true representatives of their constituents. The 3 for the backstabbing, they need to be voted out.
JC says
*Grabs popcorn*
AWFUL says
What a shitty thing for her to do to the people of Flagler County.
Pig Farmer says
Corruption in action.
PHIL F says
This was dropped and canceled… this person also needs to be dropped and canceled. We do not need any more people in the State of Florida much less in bunnell.
ML Morris says
How very deceitful! They must be learning from the Palm Coast Council…. 🙄🤦♀️
DennisC Rathsam says
And yall thought P/C had the scumbags!
Sherri Ghirelli says
I guess no one will vote for her again.That is really shady,the way she did this! I thought no meant no! But,after the community spoke against it and it was voted down.She does this behind our backs!!!!i never thought Bunnell would be sold out like FB and PC.Half these people have lived here all tbeir lives! This is farm country,not what theyre planning on.How dare her go back on Bunnell like this.I always liked the mayor and thought she was good for our town,shes really letting us down and im so ashamed of her now.Guess you cant trust anyone any more.
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
Meaning: They don’t give a flip about what the taxpayers think or how such a monstrous development would impact the city, the county, the environment, traffic, water supply, school tax, or native and endangered species. The June 9 meeting was just a dog and pony show to temporarily appease residents and make them go away.
bill says
it all comes back to the Almighty dollar greed and greed lies lies lies. It’s always been like that watch them closely. The builders have enough money where they will buy off everyone. I moved here 25 years ago from the north and but now is a beautiful little old fashion village, which I love hometown stores and restaurants don’t ruin it don’t become the rest of the shitty villages in the cities throughout the country.
Robjr says
My prediction was more right than wrong.
The plan did get approval.
Politicians are very predictable, at least when money is involved.
https://flaglerlive.com/stunning-defeat-for-8000-home-reserve/#comment-3581938
Greg says
Just thinking, I wonder if maybe there might have been a payoff? Mwybe bank accounts of these people should be checked? Just a thought, not accusing anyone.
Model Citizen says
Regardless of the merits on this issue, Mayor Robinson reveals herself to be deceitful and dishonest. It’s stunning in its audacity. She should be ashamed.
c says
Follow the $$$$$$$$$$$. Someone’s pocket is now well-lined.
FLF says
So despite the fact that the population does not want this and was voted on almost unanimously against it. You and you alone have decided that we need to take another look at this and slip it through at the end of the meeting. Makes everyone wonder what is motivating you to do the 180? One would expect you to articulate in detail why you changed your mind?
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
My immediate thought when I first reads the headline was, “The check cleared.”
tulip says
how would a person find out who owns the property
FLF says
It’s easy Tulip,
Flagler County Property Appraisers Website. You can put it on maps to where you live and start dragging over to where the property is and you’ll find who owns it. I get why they want to do something with the property. Their fathers and grandfathers owned all the property for cows, cabbage and potatoes and whatever else when it was cheap per acre a 100 years ago. Now the kids are paying taxes on it and it’s a annual loss because there’s no money generated from this land anymore. Hence the developers swimming like sharks to scoop it up and make the owners multi millionaires. I get it, its tempting. Please consider selling this property to the state as a green space or corridor for animals for still millions of dollars, just not as much as developers.
Paradise Lost says
This project is unsustainable! Our quality of life will be severely impacted by thousands of new residences. 8,000 new residences doubles the number of automobiles in the area which leads to an increase in air pollution. Not to mention road congestion, which those making these decisions never seeem to address. Would our sewer treatment plants meet drinking water standards? Before we can consider more density, we need to improve our sewer treatment plants or build additional sewage treatment plants.
c says
@Tulip (and anyone else wondering) :
Flagler County property appraiser –
https://flaglerpa.com/
Your choice of how to search – location, name, etc.
Taters and Cabbage says
I am enraged on so many levels but I will just say this, FlaglerLive, you referred to Vice Mayor Rogers as ‘Old Core’. After this move, Vice Mayor Rogers is the core. I have known and respected the mayor and appreciate her years of unwavering service to our City but, she is done. That was clearly unethical and borederline immoral. And, Pete grabbing the mike like he was hungry and hadn’t ate in three days was absolute confirmation it was a set up against Rogers and Atkinson. I will say this, bad decision, Mayor. Bad Decision. John Rogers is a red headed Irishman and this situation has him highly agitated. My money is on him. And, in closing, I will say, I SMELL A RAT
FlaglerLive says
Just to clarify, a previous article did not refer to John Rogers himself as being “old core,” but as living in the older part of the city’s core. The full excerpt for context: “Rogers is a resident of the older part of the city’s core. Atkinson (like Sechrist) is a resident of Grand Reserve, the relatively new 700-home subdivision full of new residents that may have presaged an easier path for Haw Creek.” The reference was to the old and new part of Bunnell joining for a vote against Reserve at Haw Creek.
Jack Gallagher says
Seems like a typical thing for Bunnell officials: smile in your face while patting you on the back to find the soft spot to stick their knife in.
Taters and Cabbage says
There was another article where you said Rogers was considered part of the ‘old core’ vs ‘new core’ way of thinking. I certainly didn’t mean John is old, nor did I think you were calling him old. I just was making the point that after that manuevering Monday, “old core”, “new core” went out the window–John Rogers is THE core. Without him digging his heels in and Atkinson as his wingman, this nonsense would have went even more sideways than it already has. From Rookie to THE Core. I am damn proud. Every Bunnell Resident should ask themselves serious questions about why such an unethical thing would occur$. Oops, I meant ?